A '''Herschel loop''' is a [[Herschel track]] with no overall displacement. Herschel loops are, in general, [[oscillator]]s with a [[period]] equal to the length of the loop, or a factor thereof. Herschel loops can be compressed to period 62, and a further four ticks can be squeezed out if the output [[glider]]s are suppressed. This statement is only true of Herschel loops containing [[stable]] components; loops containing oscillators can be compressed further (see [[Quetzal]]).

A '''Herschel loop''' is a [[Herschel track]] with no overall displacement. Herschel loops are, in general, [[oscillator]]s with a [[period]] equal to the length of the loop, or a factor thereof. Herschel loops can be compressed to period 62, and a further four ticks can be squeezed out if the output [[glider]]s are suppressed. This statement is only true of Herschel loops containing [[stable]] components; loops containing oscillators can be compressed further (see [[Quetzal]]).

Revision as of 20:30, 13 March 2014

A Herschel loop is a Herschel track with no overall displacement. Herschel loops are, in general, oscillators with a period equal to the length of the loop, or a factor thereof. Herschel loops can be compressed to period 62, and a further four ticks can be squeezed out if the output gliders are suppressed. This statement is only true of Herschel loops containing stable components; loops containing oscillators can be compressed further (see Quetzal).